Defending champion Garrick Porteous will take a one shot lead into the final round of the Abu Dhabi Challenge, thanks to a third round four under par 66 at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club.
Englishman Porteous, who started the day two strokes behind overnight leader Robin Sciot-Siegrist, dropped shots on the second and fourth before birdieing the sixth, seventh and ninth to move under par for the day.
The 35-year-old, who is now a resident in the United Arab Emirates, made three back nine birdies, including on his closing hole to move to 14 under par for the tournament and pull one shot clear of UAE Challenge winner Renato Paratore.
“I started off poorly. I was a couple over through five and then managed a few birdies to get one under through nine and then played well on the back,” Porteous said.
“I was just trying to hit greens. The greens are a lot firmer this year and releasing out a lot. If you miss the fairway you’ve got to try and find the putting surface.
“I’ve just had one swing thought all week and I got away from that a bit at the start. Obviously, the greens are pure so if you start rolling it well you’ve got a good chance of it going in.”
Having won the Abu Dhabi Challenge 12 months ago with a winning score of 24 under par, Porteous is excited by the prospect of competing back-to-back HotelPlanner Tour titles.
“I am excited. I’ve got my wife on my bag, she came up last night so it’s still a relaxed atmosphere and we are having fun on the course,” he added.
“There are so many good guys right behind me. The course sets up for a lot of birdies so if I can create the birdies then people have got to overtake me.”
Italian Paratore is one shot further back on 13 under par after signing for a five under par 65. American Davis Bryant, Spaniard Sebastian Garcia and Frenchman Sciot-Siegrist all sit at 12 under par.
Dane Victor Sidal Svendsen is 11 under par, one shot ahead of his countryman Christoffer Bring, South African JC Ritchie, American Chase Hanna, Englishman Will Enefer and Frenchman Felix Mory.
The final round of the Abu Dhabi Challenge will start at 7:30am on Sunday with Porteous teeing it up alongside Paratore and Bryant in the last group at 9:30am.
